Beauty 101: The Beginner’s Guide To PIH
What you need to know about Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and how to treat it
It’s a struggle to deal with acne — but often dealing with the damage caused by acne can be just as difficult. Getting rid of the various scars and spots is a long and difficult skincare journey of its own, but the first step, as always, is to understand what the specific issue is.
Below, we’ve got your guide to Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), one of the most common post-acne skin concerns, and how to treat it:
What is PIH?
Essentially, it’s the dark marks that are left on your skin after acne or other inflammatory events such as irritation, burns, or surgery. Depending on your skin tone, PIH can be reddish, dark brown, or purple-ish, and although commonly referred to as “acne scars”, it doesn’t actually leave any indentations on your skin. In itself, it’s also completely harmless.
What causes PIH?
When there’s inflammation, your skin responds by producing melanin, which is what gives color to your eyes, hair, and yes, skin. The overproduction of melanin causes these darker spots on your skin.
How do I get rid of PIH?
The good news: PIH goes away naturally — since it’s usually only on the surface of your skin, as your skin cells turn over, the marks will also fade. The bad news: this process can take months.
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So all things considered, it’s best to avoid the issue altogether. Obviously, your skincare routine should be tailored against acne, but one simple thing you can do to prevent PIH from happening in the first place is to wear sunscreen religiously. Melanin protects your skin from UV radiation, so more sun exposure also triggers melanin production, making PIH more likely. Sunscreen will help absorb that UV radiation, keeping your melanin production low.
You can also boost your skin cell turnover via chemical exfoliation. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid are the way to go here.
You can also try treating PIH with other ingredients. Retinoids, for example, boost the renewal process.
Read more about AHAs and retinoids:
Vitamin C, azelaic acid, and niacinamide are other ingredients that can inhibit melanin production and have overall skin brightening effects.
